Sheriff warns against scams

White County Sheriff Doug Maier is urging the public to be wary of phone solicitation scams that are increasing locally, particularly against elderly residents.

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The Carmi Times - Carmi, IL

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Posted Jan. 15, 2014 at 12:00 PM

Posted Jan. 15, 2014 at 12:00 PM

White County Sheriff Doug Maier is urging the public to be wary of phone solicitation scams that are increasing locally, particularly against elderly residents.

Maier said he has received numerous reports of citizens being targeted for scams in which the target is required to send money to "win" a large sum of cash. Sometimes, the requests start small and seem legitimate and harmless. However, once "on the hook," some victims have been asked to mortgage their home to send increasingly larger sums of money.

Maier warned the callers seem polite, friendly and professional, claiming to be "Christian" and encouraging their Christian targets to put the money to "good" use.

Maier said to never give out personal information over the phone, ask for a call back number and talk to relatives or friends to seek their advice as to whether or not the call seems legitimate.

The callers can be persistent, calling several times a day.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it is," Maier cautioned. "Contact the sheriff's office if you feel you are being contacted by a scam artist. We can help."